University Center gets the green light

[forreason]

According to WBEN this morning, by a 5-2 vote this project was approved by the Town's Planning Board. Is this now the time that DW once again uses taxpayers dollars to further his political career to challenge the approval? Remember that DW (& + $20000) fought the WalMart project on Sheridan Drive & lost. Now The homeowners in the general area of this proposed project will think someone on the TB is actually interested in their cause, but only on the backs of other town residents, not his own $$$

[Trajan]

According to WBEN this morning, by a 5-2 vote this project was approved by the Town's Planning Board. Is this now the time that DW once again uses taxpayers dollars to further his political career to challenge the approval? Remember that DW (& + $20000) fought the WalMart project on Sheridan Drive & lost. Now The homeowners in the general area of this proposed project will think someone on the TB is actually interested in their cause, but only on the backs of other town residents, not his own $$$

Now, please respond to your statement and the questions asked of you, on another thread.

ORIGINALLY POSTED BY FORREASON
I just wonder what people believe is going to be developed around a major expanding university(especially on a major roadway). In fact, I would not mind the Town selling the A G C to this or some other developer with a land swap for parks, centralized town service buildings, etc. (Westwood CC even comes to mind).

QUESTIONS ASKED
Ironically, you are repeating much of what Mohan, Schratz and Kindel have been saying.

You seem to have inside information. What is going on?
Is the Benderson Center only part of a whole scenario where we give up our golf courses and recreational area to fulfill someone's dream of turning a suburb into the new City of Amherst/Buffalo??

[absolivious]

....
You seem to have inside information. What is going on?
Is the Benderson Center only part of a whole scenario where we give up our golf courses and recreational area to fulfill someone's dream of turning a suburb into the new City of Amherst/Buffalo??

Why not? Let's let this very successful developer give it a try, to rebuild WNY from Amherst out.

After all, it's already been proven beyond a doubt that all the pols and all the pols' goons in the City of Buffalo are totally incapable of marshaling any form of progress whatsoever.

[Dougles]

Why not? Let's let this very successful developer give it a try, to rebuild WNY from Amherst out.

After all, it's already been proven beyond a doubt that all the pols and all the pols' goons in the City of Buffalo are totally incapable of marshaling any form of progress whatsoever.

But do you want the CITY moving into amherst? Look what happens to the town when that happens, a drug dealer is killed in Allenhurst and a baby nearlly killed by being stabbed in one month.

[Trajan]

Why not? Let's let this very successful developer give it a try, to rebuild WNY from Amherst out.

After all, it's already been proven beyond a doubt that all the pols and all the pols' goons in the City of Buffalo are totally incapable of marshaling any form of progress whatsoever.

Maybe this "very successful developer" should fill up his empty properties, and eliminate some of his eyesores before taking on any more projects.

[Trajan]

Why not? Let's let this very successful developer give it a try, to rebuild WNY from Amherst out.

Looks like this "very successful developer" has been rebuilding Amherst and
Erie County for a long time. What is there to show for it in 2009? Mostly, empty properties and eyesores.

[absolivious]

Maybe this "very successful developer" should fill up his empty properties, and eliminate some of his eyesores before taking on any more projects.

...and "Maybe" if NIMBY-ites didn't stand in abject opposition to reasonable -- and smart-- development in the area, there could be instilled a greater desire among potential retailers to occupy those currently vacant "eyesores"....

[Trajan]

...and "Maybe" if NIMBY-ites didn't stand in abject opposition to reasonable -- and smart-- development in the area, there could be instilled a greater desire among potential retailers to occupy those currently vacant "eyesores"....

What does one have to do with the other? There are plenty of reasonable, smart developments in the area that are EMPTY. Plenty of opportunity for
any potential retailers to move in, if they desired.

[forreason]

Although I may not be considered a friend of this developer, they have tried in the past (remember WalMart on Sheridan Dr.) and up until a week ago it has been languishing in the courts for two years. This would cleanup a significant eyesore. For those who were opposed to this project (WalMart), did you ever spend the time to go to a meeting or visit town hall to see the new protype building they proposed to build there? Not to mention other establishments that regularly develop close to one of these stores. In fact I have even heard at one meeting that the owner of the Northtown Plaza was in favor of this project for it would add retail traffic and vitality to the general area.

As far as the Maple Road project is concerned, I for one will follow this project and question if the developer does not uphold the restrictions that were placed on it. For those that live in no other but the WNY frame of mind, visit other states and the municipalities that are in close proximity of the largest public state university and see the development around them. We have a chance now to negotiate the terms of design, etc., let's not waste this chance.

[Trajan]

Although I may not be considered a friend of this developer, they have tried in the past (remember WalMart on Sheridan Dr.) and up until a week ago it has been languishing in the courts for two years. This would cleanup a significant eyesore. For those who were opposed to this project (WalMart), did you ever spend the time to go to a meeting or visit town hall to see the new protype building they proposed to build there? Not to mention other establishments that regularly develop close to one of these stores. In fact I have even heard at one meeting that the owner of the Northtown Plaza was in favor of this project for it would add retail traffic and vitality to the general area.

As far as the Maple Road project is concerned, I for one will follow this project and question if the developer does not uphold the restrictions that were placed on it. For those that live in no other but the WNY frame of mind, visit other states and the municipalities that are in close proximity of the largest public state university and see the development around them. We have a chance now to negotiate the terms of design, etc., let's not waste this chance.

Understand, but please answer the questions..
The people of Amherst have a right to know what the ultimate plan is for
the area, including losing our recreational amenities. There should not be closed-door negotiations. It is beginning to sound like there might be.
Your initial, glib response raises more questions, especially since it reflects
other Town officials sentiments.

Again the questions:

You seem to have inside information. What is going on?
Is the Benderson Center only part of a whole scenario where we give up our golf courses and recreational area to fulfill someone's dream of turning a suburb into the new City of Amherst/Buffalo??

[absolivious]

I for one will follow this project and question if the developer does not uphold the restrictions that were placed on it.

As well you should.

[Surfing USA]

Although I may not be considered a friend of this developer, they have tried in the past (remember WalMart on Sheridan Dr.) and up until a week ago it has been languishing in the courts for two years. This would cleanup a significant eyesore.

It may clean up one eyesore but, at the same time, it will create another one.

What will become of the vacant Walmart building on Niagara Falls Blvd? Will they transport the rats from Sheridan Drive over to the Boulevard?

[Add It Up]

...and "Maybe" if NIMBY-ites didn't stand in abject opposition to reasonable -- and smart-- development in the area, there could be instilled a greater desire among potential retailers to occupy those currently vacant "eyesores"....

I guess there'll be plenty of time to ponder this while sitting in cross-town traffic on Maple.

[Add It Up]

Maybe this "very successful developer" should fill up his empty properties, and eliminate some of his eyesores before taking on any more projects.

This will never happen as long as the TB continues to cave to their every desire. The developer has no incentive to fill these eyesores, and has just bought back several that were sold not long ago at a profit. Profit, it seems, is the only thing that really influences decisions in Amherst.

[forreason]

One blogger suggests that I have some sort of insider information which is far from the case. What I do know is by following articles in papers, other media resources, publications such as "Business First", etc. you find information from various sources depicting certain financial, development and other issues relating to this area. Along with the extensive proposal of the UB 2020 vision plan, you find what thought process various individuals perceive as the course to follow in the overall development of this area. When you look at the area surrounding the North Campus of UB, it lends itself to have the potential for extensive development. This is the norm throughout the country where property is in close proximity of a major public university. What needs to happen is instead of the university dictating development, the community needs to negotiate some common ground. Otherwise, the SUNY system could come in control of surrounding properties and resources where the community would have no say as well as the elimination of substantial taxable property.
As far as other vacant existing buildings are concerned, since when have you heard of a TB member meeting with local or contacting out of town property owners to discuss plans for redevelopment? Of course if we challenge the redevelopment of properties like the most recent incident on Sheridan Dr, you will have no developer coming to the table to do something. Is all development good for the area? I say no, but we need to be a leader not a follower or this whole area is going to regress.